Device for measuring doses of liquid products contained in flasks or the like

ABSTRACT

A dose-measuring device designed to be inserted in the neck of a flask ( 1 ) includes a first metering compartment (A) and a second reserve compartment (B) communicating with the outlet of the measuring device and the metering compartment (A). The device also includes an outer tubular element ( 5 ) nested in the neck ( 2   a ) of the flask ( 1 ), closed at its lower end and open at its upper end and an inner tubular element ( 5 ) nested sealed in the outer tubular element ( 5 ), including an intermediate body ( 16 ), delimiting inwards, the metering compartment and a lower part forming a transfer conduit ( 23 ) extending downwards emerging into the metering compartment (A) and in the reserve compartment (B).

[0001] The present invention relates to a dose-measuring device intendedto be inserted in the neck of a flask or like recipient containing aliquid.

[0002] Liquid dose-measuring devices are already known, engaged in theneck of a flask, comprising two compartments, namely a first meteringcompartment filling with a predetermined volume of liquid when the flaskis upturned from its normal vertical position and a second reservecompartment communicating with the metering compartment so as to receivethe predetermined volume of liquid contained in the metering compartmentwhen the flask is returned into normal vertical position. The reservecompartment communicates, furthermore, with an outlet orifice of thedose-measuring device so as to pour to the outside the dose of liquidcontained in the reserve compartment, when the flask is being upturned.Such a device is described for example in Patent FR 1 047 119. ThisPatent describes a dose-measuring stopper constituted by a tubulararmature with a sectioned upper part forming outer stopper and a lowerpart obturated by a sliding stopper; an inner partitioning divides thearmature into two chambers, a filling chamber and a reserve chamber. Thearmature (comprises a filling orifice and an air evacuation orifice madein the walls of the filling chamber. By upturning the bottle, the liquidmay then penetrate in the filling orifice in the corresponding chamberup to the height of the air evacuation orifice which is the point ofequilibrium of the pressures: at that moment, if the bottle isstraightened up, the liquid pours in the reserve chamber and the volumeof liquid contained in the filling chamber being greeter than that ofthe reserve chamber, the surplus is evacuated via the air evacuationorifice ensuring dose-measuring The operator, by inclining the bottle,then empties the contents of the dose-measuring device, which restarts afresh dose-measuring and the excess liquid which had remained in thefilling chamber mixes again with the new supply. It is easily seen that,with this device, the evacuation of the excess liquid which is ensuredvia the air evacuation orifice, defines, in fact, the level of fillingof each chamber; in this way, the limits of filling are identical whenone begins to upturn the recipient to empty the dose-measuring chamber,with the result that a part of the liquid may then overflow from thereserve chamber towards the filling chamber incontestably creating animprecision of the dose-measurement since the quantity of liquid thatmay overflow from this same filling chamber varies depending on whetherthe recipient is inclined in a plane more or less close to the plane ofsymmetry of the stopper.

[0003] The present invention relates to an improvement made to theearlier device, with a view to improving the precision of thedose-measurement of liquid.

[0004] To that end, this dose-measuring device intended to be insertedin the neck of a flask or like recipient containing a liquid comprisingtwo compartments, namely a first metering compartment filling with apredetermined volume of liquid when the flask is upturned from itsnormal vertical position, and a second reserve compartment communicatingwith the metering compartment communicating with the outlet orifice ofthe dose-measuring device and with the metering compartment so as toreceive the volume of liquid contained in the latter, when the flask isreturned into normal position comprising an outer tubular element fittedin the neck of the flask, closed at its lower end and open at its upperend, presenting, in its lateral wall, an opening for filling close toits upper end and opening out in the metering compartment, a first airevacuation orifice (14), defining the level of filling of thecompartment being provided in the wall of the end tubular element (4)and an inner tubular element (5) nested in sealed manner in the outertubular element (4), comprising an upper end part forming a pourer (17),an intermediate body (16) defining, towards the inside, the meteringcompartment (A) and a lower end part forming a transfer conduit (23)extending downwardly, opening out, at its upper end, in the meteringcompartment (A) and, at its lower end, in the reserve compartment (B)is, according to the principal characteristic of the invention,noteworthy in that said outer tubular element (4) comprises a secondoverflow orifice (15) located at a level lower than that of the airevacuation orifice (14), i.e. closer to the bottom of the outer tubularelement (4), and defining the maximum level of filling of the reservecompartment (B).

[0005] It will be readily understood that the dose-measuring orifice,i.e. the overflow orifice, precisely defines the maximum level offilling of the metering compartment; in effect, the two compartmentsbeing separated and, insofar as the dose-mesuring compartment is onlypartially filled, the liquid can thus not overflow towards the fillingchamber i.e. towards the reserve compartment, when the recipient isupturned; there is therefore no return of the liquid towards the firstcompartment, whether the recipient is inclined in the plane of symmetryof the stopper or not, this procuring the desired precision ofdose-measuring.

[0006] A form of embodiment of the present invention will be describedhereinafter by way of non-limiting example, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a view in axial and vertical section of a dose measuringdevice according to the invention, engaged in the neck of a flaskcontaining a liquid having to be distributed in predetermined doses.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a view in axial section of the inner tubular elementwith its obturator in open position.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a side view of the inner tubular element shown in FIG.2, its obturator being in closed position.

[0010]FIG. 4 is a view in axial section of the inner tubular element

[0011]FIG. 5 is a side view of the inner tubular element, taken from theright in FIG. 4.

[0012]FIG. 6 is a side view of the inner tubular element, taken from theleft in FIG. 4.

[0013]FIG. 7 is a view from underneath of the inner tubular element.

[0014]FIG. 8 is a view from above of the inner tubular element.

[0015]FIG. 9 is a view in cross-section taken along line IX-IX of FIG.4.

[0016]FIG. 10 is a view in cross-section taken along line X-X of FIG. 4.

[0017]FIG. 11 is a view in cross-section taken along line XI-XI of FIG.4.

[0018]FIG. 12 is a view in cross-section taken along line XII-XII ofFIG. 4.

[0019]FIG. 13 is a view in cross-section taken along line XIII-XIII ofFIG. 4.

[0020]FIG. 14 is a view in vertical section of the dose-measuring deviceof which the reserve compartment contains a dose of liquid, the flaskbeing in its normal vertical position.

[0021]FIG. 15 is a view in vertical section of the dose-measuring devicewhen the flask is upturned, the metering compartment being in the courseof being filled and the reserve compartment in the course of beingemptied.

[0022] In FIG. 1, the dose-measuring device according to the invention,generally designated by reference 1, is engaged in sealed manner in theneck 2 a of a flask 2 containing a liquid 3. It is fixed to the neck ofthe flask 2 by any appropriate means, for example by screwing withnon-return, as shown in FIG. 1, or by clipping. The dose-measuringdevice comprises, like the devices known previously, a first meteringcompartment A, in its upper part, in normal position of the flask, and asecond reserve compartment B, in its lower part, these compartmentsbeing defined as specified hereinbelow.

[0023] According to the invention, the dose-measuring device 1 isconstituted by two tubular elements fitted axially in each other, namelyan outer tubular element 4 and an inner tubular element 5. These twoelements are advantageously made of moulded plastics material.

[0024] The outer tubular element 4, shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2and 3, comprises a cylindrical body 6 closed, at its lower end, by abottom 7 and open at its upper end. The outer diameter of thecylindrical body 6 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of theneck 2 a of the flask 2. The cylindrical body 6 is fast, in its upperpart, with a coaxial skirt 8 intended to cover, on the outside, the neck2 a of the flask 2 which is fixed to the neck of the flask by screwingwith non-return, in manner known per se. The skirt 8 bears an obturator9 pivoting about a lateral hinge 11 ensuring its join with the skirt 8so as to be able to close the upper orifice of the cylindrical body 6.The obturator 9 may advantageously comprise a projecting part formingstopper 12 (FIG. 1) to ensure a sealed closure of the upper end of theinner tubular element 5 as will be specified hereinafter. Furthermore,the cylindrical body 6 presents in its wall near the upper orifice anopening 13 intended to constitute the orifice for filling the meteringcompartment A. The cylindrical body 6 likewise presents, in anintermediate part of its wall, an orifice 14 for evacuation of the air,and, slightly below the latter, another orifice 15, as may be seen inFIG. 1. The role of these orifices will be specified in the followingdescription.

[0025] There will now be described, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 13, thestructure of the inner tubular element 5. This element 5 comprises anintermediate tubular body 16, with upwardly decreasing curvedcross-section and of which the upper end is extended by a cylindricalpart 17 forming pourer. This pourer 17 has an orifice inclined withrespect to the longitudinal axis and it presents a longitudinal slot 18.A cylindrical transverse skirt 19 is provided in the zone of junction ofthe intermediate body 16 and of the cylindrical pourer 17. Thistransverse skirt 19 presents a cylindrical lateral wall having an outerdiameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the upper end partof the outer tubular element 4 so as to be able to fit closely therein,in sealed manner, as is shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] Below the skirt 19, the intermediate tubular body 16 bears anelement forming flow deviator 21 with T-shaped cross-section, as shownin FIG. 10, element of which the vertical web 21 a is attached to theintermediate tubular body 16. Furthermore, the flow deviator element 21comprises a vertical planar plate 21 b, corresponding to the head of theT-shaped cross-section, of which the lower end is connected to ahorizontal flange 21 c, extending outwardly, in the form of a segment ofcircle of which the radius of curvature is equal to the radius of theinner surface of the outer tubular element 4, so as to be closelyapplied against the wall of this element when the two tubular elements 4and 5 are fitted in each other.

[0027] At its lower end, the intermediate tubular body 16 is extended bya cylindrical skirt 22 of which the outer diameter is substantiallyequal to the inner diameter of the outer tubular element 4, in order toensure seal therebetween. This skirt 22 comprises a downwardly extendingcylindrical lateral wall and an upper wall 22 a.

[0028] Furthermore, the intermediate tubular body 16 is extendeddownwardly by a vertical transfer conduit 23, open at its two ends,which extends downwardly up to the vicinity of the bottom of the outertubular element 4. This transfer conduit 23 is vertically aligned withthe flow deviator element 21. Its upper orifice is located at the levelof the lower end of the upper wall 22 a of the skirt 22 which isadvantageously inclined in the direction of the upper orifice of thetransfer conduit 23. The cross-section of the transfer conduit 23 is,for example in the form of a “bean” and its outer surface is cylindricalwith a radius of curvature equal to that of the inner surface of theouter tubular element 4.

[0029] The dose-measuring device 1 according to the invention,constituted by the two tubular elements 4, 5 fitted in each other, isthus as shown in FIG. 1. In this fitted position, the upper skirt 19 ofthe inner tubular element 5 is fitted closely, in sealed manner, in theupper end part of the outer tubular element 4. The flow deviator element21 extends opposite the opening 13, from the lower end thereof andpreferably its upper end is located just a little beyond the upper endof the opening 13. The lower flange 21 c, in the form of a segment ofcircle, of the flow deviator element 21 is in sealed contact, along anarc of circle, with the wall of the cylindrical body 6, just below thelower end of the opening 13, and the vertical planar part 21 b of thedeviator element 21 is in contact, along its two vertical edges, withthe inner surface of the outer tubular element 4. The cylindrical body 6defines, towards the inside, the metering compartment A which is alsodelimited, towards the outside by the cylindrical wall of the outertubular element 4. The air evacuation orifice 14 of the cylindrical body6 is located just above the upper orifice of the transfer conduit 23 andthe overflow evacuation orifice 15 is located just below the lowerhorizontal edge of the skirt 22 of which the cylindrical lateral wall isapplied in sealed manner against the inner surface of the outer tubularelement 4.

[0030] According to a particularly advantageous configuration, the firstair evacuation orifice 14 of the cylindrical body 6 is diametrallyopposite the pourer 17 and the second overflow evacuation orifice 15 issubstantially at 90° with respect to the first orifice 14 in order thatthe dose initially contained in the reserve compartment B flows withoutlosses.

[0031] Finally, the curved outer surface of the transfer conduit 23 isclosely applied against the inner surface of the cylindrical body 6 andits lower orifice located at a short distance from the bottom of theouter tubular element 4.

[0032] The metering compartment A, which is in upper position when theflask is in its normal position, is defined between the upper skirt 19of the inner tubular element 5 and the air evacuation orifice 14. As forthe reserve compartment B, it is defined between the bottom of the outertubular element 4 and the overflow orifice 15.

[0033] The functioning of the dose-measuring device 1 according to theinvention will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 1, 14 and 15.

[0034] In FIG. 1, the flask 2 is shown before its first use and, in thatcase, the liquid 3 is located totally outside the dose-measuring device1. Upon first use, the flask 2 is upturned through 180°, to take it inthe position shown in FIG. 15 and the liquid 3 contained in the flask inthat case flows towards the inside of the metering compartment A,passing through the opening constituting the filling orifice 13, beingdeviated downwardly i.e. towards the upper skirt 19 by the flow deviatorelement 21, and skirting the latter as indicated by the arrows. The aircontained in the upper part of the compartment A, escapes to theoutside, through the evacuation orifice 14. Filling takes place untilthe level of the liquid in the metering compartment A arrivessubstantially at the level of the air evacuation orirfice 14. Duringthis first use, no liquid leaves the dose-measuring device since thereserve compartment B is in that case empty.

[0035] After the metering compartment A is filled, the flask is upturnedin order to place it in its normal position as shown in FIG. 14.Subsequent to this return to normal position, the dose of liquidcontained in the metering compartment A flows rapidly into the reservecompartment B, passing through the transfer conduit 23. Thepredetermined dose of liquid which was previously stored in the meteringcompartment A is thus transferred entirely to the reserve compartment B,i.e. virtually up to the level of the overflow orifice 15. The device isthen ready for a first effective use. This first use is effected byupturning the flask, as shown in FIG. 15, and subsequent to thisupturning, the dose of liquid contained in the reserve compartment Bflows outside, through the inner tubular element 5 and the pourer 17.During this time, the metering compartment A is filled again with thepredetermined dose of liquid which will then be transferred to thereserve compartment B when the flask 2 will have been returned into itsnormal position.

[0036] It is important to note that the upturning of the flask 2 to takeit from its normal vertical position, shown in FIG. 14, up to itsposition where the metering compartment A in the course of being filledand the reserve compartment B in the course of being emptied, shown inFIG. 15, is advantageously obtained by a rotation thought about 180° inanti-clockwise direction for the filling of the metering compartment A,but especially the emptying of the reserve compartment B, to occurcorrectly, thus ensuring a better precision of the dose-measuring.

1. Dose-measuring device intended to be inserted in the neck of a flask(2) or like recipient containing a liquid comprising two compartments,namely a first metering compartment (A) filling with a predeterminedvolume of liquid when the flask is upturned from its normal verticalposition, and a second reserve compartment (B) communicating with theoutlet orifice of the dose-measuring device and with the meteringcompartment (A) so as to receive the volume of liquid contained in thelatter, when the flask is returned into normal position comprising anouter tubular element (4) fitted in the neck (2 a) of the flask (2),closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, presenting, in itslateral wall, an opening (18) for filling close to its upper end andopening out in the metering compartment (A), a first air evacuationorifice (14), defining the level of filling of the compartment beingprovided in the wall of the end tubular element (4) and an inner tubularelement (5) nested in sealed manner in the outer tubular element (4),comprising an upper end part forming a pourer (17), an intermediate body(16) defining, towards the inside, the metering compartment (A) and alower end part forming a transfer conduit (23) extending downwardlyopening out, at its upper end, in the metering compartment (A) and, atits lower end, in the reserve compartment (B), characterized in thatsaid outer tubular element (4) comprises a second overflow orifice (15)located at a level lower than that of the air evacuation orifice (14),i.e. closer to the bottom of the outer tubular element (4), and definingthe maximum level of filling of the reserve compartment (B)
 2. Deviceaccording to claim 3, characterized in that the tubular intermediatebody (16) of the inner tubular element (5) presents, at its lower end, askirt (22) comprising a cylindrical lateral wall applied in sealedmanner against the inner surface of the outer tubular element (4), alower edge located above the S overflow orifice (15) and an upper wallin which is formed the upper orifice of the transfer conduit (23). 3.Device according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the airevacuation orifice (14) of the cylindrical body (6) is diametrallyopposite the pourer (17) and in that the overflow evacuation orifice(15) is substantially at 90° with respect to the air evacuation orifice(14).
 4. Device according to either one of claims 4 and 5, characterizedin that the skirt (22) is located, on the inner tubular element (5), sothat, in fitted position, the air evacuation orifice (14) of the outertubular element (4) is located just above the upper wall (22 a) of theskirt (22).
 5. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that theupper wall (22 a) of the skirt (22) is inclined in the direction of theupper orifice of the transfer conduit (23).
 6. Device according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the inner tubular element(5) comprises, in its upper end part, a skirt (19) of outer diametersubstantially equal to the inner diameter of the outer tubular element(4) and applied in sealed manner against the wall of the latter; 7.Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the intermediatetubular body (16) of the inner tubular element (5) comprises, below theupper skirt (19), a flow deviation element (21) extending longitudinallyopposite the filling orifice (13) of the outer tubular element (4) so asto deviate the flow of liquid entering in the direction of the upperskirt (19).